LATAM Cargo, the freight division of LATAM Group, has received its third Boeing 767 BCF (Boeing Converted Freighter) of the year, marking the completion of its fleet expansion plan. This addition brings the total number of freighters to 19, reinforcing LATAM Cargo’s status as the largest cargo airline group in South America.
The fleet growth plan, announced back in 2021, involved converting eight passenger airplanes into cargo aircraft. This strategic move has resulted in over a 70% increase in cargo capacity compared to pre-pandemic levels. The uniform expansion with the Boeing 767-300 BCF was driven by the aircraft’s “efficiency, versatility, and size, making it an ideal choice for operations within the region”, LATAM states.
Gudny Genskowsky, Senior VP of Network and Cargo Alliances at LATAM, emphasized the significance of this expansion: “The arrival of this aircraft signifies both our commitment to our customers and our focus on maintaining a sustainable operation in the long term. This growth plan was structured jointly, aiming to connect the export and import industries of the region through a broad and reliable offer. ”
“We also took into account the inherent volatility of air freight, focusing on efficiency, diversification, and flexibility. Despite challenging times in the industry, we are pleased to have access to this new aircraft to leverage opportunities within the territory”, he added.
In the short term, the new freighter will boost cherry exports from Chile in the last quarter of the year and increase capacity for the Valentine’s Day flower season in Colombia and Ecuador. The expansion will also enable LATAM Cargo to strengthen its long-haul operations from North America and Europe to South America.
Currently, the LATAM Group operates a diverse fleet of 321 aircraft, including 58 passenger Boeing models (767, 777, and 787) and 245 Airbus aircraft (A319, A320, A320neo, A321, and A321neo). The 19 767 freighters from LATAM Cargo Chile, LATAM Cargo Colombia, and LATAM Cargo Brasil consolidates LATAM’s position in the cargo sector.
